A Rare and Historic Moment: Green Sea Turtle Returns to Nest at Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort
On 10 January 2026, Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort was honored to witness a truly extraordinary moment in nature a Green Sea Turtle returned to nest on Karon Nui Beach (located on Le Meridien Phuket beach Resort), laying 84 eggs. This remarkable event marks the first recorded sea turtle nesting on the resort’s beach in about 25 years and stands as a powerful milestone in over three decades of dedicated marine conservation efforts.
The return of the Green Sea Turtle is a compelling reflection of the exceptional condition of Karon Nui Beach, which has been carefully preserved with a strong focus on environmental cleanliness, tranquility, safety, and the careful management of nighttime light and noise pollution. These essential factors have helped create a natural sanctuary where marine life can once again thrive.
This rare nesting also reflects the Natal Homing Effect a natural phenomenon in which sea turtles return to their birthplace to lay eggs, highlighting the long-term success of conservation initiatives supported by the resort in close collaboration with Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC), Andaman Coast Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Center. Over the years, this partnership has included continuous environmental protection programs and annual sea turtle release activities held on this very beach.
As part of its ongoing commitment to marine conservation, the resort proudly hosts an annual Green Sea Turtle release ceremony every year on April 13, during Thailand’s Songkran Festival. During this meaningful tradition, 30–40 young Green Sea Turtles are released into the sea by resort guests and associates, helping to raise awareness, support conservation initiatives, and generate funding for marine research and protection along the Andaman Coast.
The return of this mother turtle is more than a rare and beautiful sight—it is a symbol of hope, demonstrating that long-term dedication to environmental stewardship truly makes a difference. It reaffirms the belief that responsible tourism and conservation can work hand in hand to protect our oceans for future generations.
The incubation period for sea turtle eggs typically spans 40–55 days, with the hatching expected to occur between 20 February to early March 2026. The resort will provide further updates once the hatchlings emerge and safely make their journey back to the sea.
Throughout the incubation period, officials from the Andaman Coast Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Center will conduct regular inspections to closely monitor and protect the nesting site, ensuring the safety of the eggs and hatchlings. This careful process plays a vital role in preserving marine biodiversity and supporting long-term ecological sustainability.
Guests staying at the resort during the Songkran Festival are warmly invited to participate in the annual sea turtle release on 13 April 2026, offering a rare opportunity to take part in a meaningful conservation experience, helping to pass on hope and contribute directly to the protection of Thailand’s precious marine ecosystem.
For more information, please contact us here.
🌐 www.lemeridienphuketbeachresort.com
☎️ 076 370 100 or 076 292 666
💻reservations.phuketbeach@lemeridien.com
